stefansolo Tension is a form of muscular engagement in partner dance. It is characterized by two muscles engaging against each other in a single person. This creates a conflict of musculature that does not directly communicate to the partner. It inhibits Proprioception and communicates a freeze. It strains the muscles and increases the effort required to partner dance significantly. It is similar to Tone which is used in the majority of partner dancing.
Why we don’t use Tension:
- Tiring
- Communicates a Freeze
- Removes Follower Voice
- Movement is only possible by fighting ones own body and your partner’s body.
The few cases we might want Tension:
- In absolute emergency to lead a freeze without needing to calculate opposition.
- To communicate emotions with a strain element.
- Stress
- Depression
- Anger
- Frustration
- As a contrast point to a relaxation.
As you can see these are not situations usually aimed for an any large amount. Newer dancers tend to use tension a lot. It is a mark of improving as a dancer to remove tension from your dancing reaching Relaxation and thus Dynamic Tone. Maybe at some point you might want to add the slightest bits back in in very rare circumstances.